Averill Park CSD Community,
I would like to thank you all for the continued support and flexibility that you have shown during the many changes that have occurred over the past year. As a District, we are committed to doing everything we can in order to offer in-person instruction in a safe and responsible manner.
Recently we shared information about Governor Cuomo’s Micro Cluster Strategy regarding color coded zones and what this means for our District. In order for our schools to remain open, the District will need to test 20% of in-person students and staff if our region is designated as a “yellow zone” by NYS.
To help us prepare for testing should our area be designated as a “yellow zone”, please review the school-based testing information and frequently asked questions and consider giving consent for school-based COVID-19 testing by filling out the Consent for Student COVID-19 Testing Form. If you consent, your child may be randomly selected to receive a free COVID-19 Rapid Test. Students who are learning 100% virtually do not need to fill out this form. Please note that these tests are non-invasive and are not the deep-swab procedures performed at medical facilities.
Testing is not mandatory, however, if we do not receive consent from at least 20% of students and staff, we would likely be forced to shift to full remote instruction for students in grades K-12 for the period of time that our region is classified as a yellow zone.
We will keep you informed of any developments and plans for state-mandated COVID-19 testing at our schools. Please remember to continue to follow all health and safety precautions to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Sincerely,
Dr. James Franchini
Superintendent of Schools